Apple has updated plans for its next-generation campus -- dubbed the Apple Campus 2, or commonly known as the 'Spaceship' -- earlier this week. Included in the new plans are 650,000 sq. ft. of solar panels and a massive increase in the amount of green space and plant-life across the new campus.

From the aerial view, it is clear that most of the new campus will be powered by solar panels and renewable energy soruces. The main campus building -- the donut-like shape -- in the middle of the image -- will house around 14,200 Apple employees in one location. Other buildings include R&D labs, a corporate auditorium and parking buildings.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

From a 45-degree angle looking south, the campus will be home to tens of thousands of new trees and green spaces, allowing employees to roam around the 170-acre site at will. However, it will be closed to the public and have a secured perimeter.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Some of the campus designs have not changed much. In this concept image, it shows long grass and employees sitting around in vast swathes of greenery. The main campus building will be four storys in size and feature curved glass specifically designed and crafted for the new building.

According to the plans, there isn't a single straight piece of glass in the entire outer construction. The building is pegged for opening during the mid-2016 months.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Many of the paths around and surrounding the campus will be cycle friendly. All in all, there will be miles of pathways and access routes for Apple employees to roam the ground.

"I do think we have a shot at building the best office building in the world," Jobs said during his unveiling of the project in June 2011.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

The cost of the building, along with council tax -- which Apple was "happy to keep paying" -- will cost billions. Because the glass in the building will not have a single straight edge piece of glass, the curved glass will have to be manufactured specially for the building, and will be curved to accommodate the building's size, shape, and curvy dimensions.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Apple aims to "promote shared creativity and collaboration and spur invention of the next several generations of Apple products," the firm said.

However, the designers of this campus want to "achieve the security and privacy required for the invention of new products by eliminating any public access through the perimeters against trespassers," ruling out any public right to access.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Though the designs have not changed much, there are a few noticeable changes. For instance, Apple no longer wants to use trucks to haul away the soil from the grounds during the campus' construction. The firm also wants the auditorium, used for product launches, to be moved further away from the public roads. Also, the parking structure will be larger to accommodate more employees at the firm.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

The structure will be supported by large pillars and a steel structure. On the inside of the donut-shaped structure, Apple hopes to include an orchard and a park in the center of the structure.

Cupertino City Council says that it expects to have updated plans available after Thanksgiving, but did not say when.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

A further 2,200 employees will be housed outside the main campus building in the R&D labs on the edges of the campus. Each building spans approximately 300,000 sq. ft. and will have around 300 electric charging stations for electric vehicles on the site.

Apple said that the delayed opening of the new building is partially due to to it being unable to start work on the new project until 2014, the updated timeline says.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Currently, the dark grey patch on the image is where Apple is currently located at Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA. Around three-four times larger in space, the proposed site for the Apple Campus 2 is shown in red. It's no more than a 10 minute drive down the road.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Apple notes a 'before' and 'after' view (left-right, respectively) which shows a perimeter-like public access around the campus. There are numerous ways into the campus, but three major entrances for staff.

The actual campus itself will not be open to the public and only opened on rare occasions such as to allow members of the press and media through. Even then, they will have to pass through security buildings.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Apple's revised campus plans pushes the main campus building -- shaped like a donut -- away from the main roads and public highways in order to reduce noise, but also to increase privacy. This means photographers will find it more difficult to long-lens employees, for instance.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

Apple shows a side-by-side comparison of the greenery on the existing site -- covered by roads, paths, and buildings -- compared to what it has planned for its Apple Campus 2. You can clearly see how much green space there would be on the proposed site if Apple has the plans for its new campus pushed through by the city council.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

While much of the land, which was previously owned by HP before it was sold to Apple for around $300 million, will be dug up and many of the trees downed. However, the technology giant plans to replace most of the trees and increase the number of trees on the property.

The giant space near the bottom of the campus will house the new parking structure, which will house 14,200 employees' cars and vehicles, instead of the 10,000 proposed in earlier plans.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

From the 45-degree wireframe model view looking towards the south-east, the campus will include a bevy of buildings alongside the main donut-shaped campus. It will include two major parking structures, a fitness center, R&D buildings and site access buildings, used by the firm's security team.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

From the aerial proposed plans, you can see the greenery and the trees, alongside the main campus building. The campus will be lush with plans and grassy areas, filled with trees inside and outside the main donut structure, and include a range of paths around the central structure for employees to walk and cycle around.

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

The company's new auditorium for showing off new products and services. It will be an underground structure that is away from the main campus. It will include a backstage area and an exhibit area. The lobby area will be above ground and feature large pane glass windows.

Apple describes the new venue as a place to, "provide an on-site venue for the introduction of Apple’s new products that will generate surprise and delight, and enable the products to be introduced at Apple’s corporate home."

Published: November 22, 2012 -- 12:27 GMT (04:27 PST)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

The roof of the building will be covered in solar panels in order to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Apple first notified the Cupertino City Council in June 2011 by then-Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, just months before his death.

Apple Campus 2: Updated plans, imagery, launch date: photos

Apple has updated the plans for its new Apple Campus 2 'Spaceship' design, along with an estimated completion date of mid-2016.

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The cost of the building, along with council tax -- which Apple was "happy to keep paying" -- will cost billions. Because the glass in the building will not have a single straight edge piece of glass, the curved glass will have to be manufactured specially for the building, and will be curved to accommodate the building's size, shape, and curvy dimensions.